Russian Bale Seal, Baltic States, Hemp, SPB, 1783, Image by StuE, Found by Pat (Colchester Club).
Found in Colchester region, 19 x 22mm, 15.3g.
These seals are Russian hemp bale quality control seals.
First side:-
First line:- SPB = St. Petersburg
Second line:- ?HRH = Roman script, Indicates the quality and type of goods but uncertain what initials actually stood for.
Third line 1783 = Date of grading
Second side:-
First line:- Д.Л = D.L = initials for Inspection.flax?
Second & Third lines:- ВИЛИ // БИНЬ (initials & surname of Quality Control Officer - Vilibin ?)
Fourth line:- H410 = N410 = the number of the post the QA Officer worked at (410).
See Figs. on pages 54 & 55, Russian Cloth Seals in Britain: Trade, Textiles and Origins by John Sullivan.
